Library

The Library collection of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society consists of material that deals specifically with Western Australia and its history. It is a reference library and items are not for loan. Much of the material in the collection has been donated to the Society. If you have items to discard that might be useful to and enhance the Library’s collections, please contact the Library (contact details above).

Library researchers, 2016
Photo. Helen Henderson

The collection includes:

Books on Western Australian history, including rare books, some of which are not readily available in other libraries

Journals relating to Western Australian history, plus a selection of journals of historical societies in other states and territories

Maps of Western Australian regions and towns, early subdivision maps and real estate posters

Limited holdings of early newspapers, such as the Perth Gazette, the Inquirer and Western Mail

Facts of the North, an editor’s file of material relating to the north-west from 1965 to 1979

Documents, including early letters, pamphlets and ephemera

Newspaper cuttings, clipped currently and filed by subject

Essays submitted for various competitions

Private papers of individuals and organizations, documented and indexed

Early Days, the annual scholarly publication of the Society

Newsletters of more than 70 Western Australian historical societies

Microfiche of a number of historical records, such as registers of births and deaths

Compact disks and DVDs of various works

For recent acquisitions see Books added to the Library and Miscellaneous Items Added to the Library.

Hon librarian hosting a group visit, 2014

Catalogues

Enquiry service

Library use is free to members. Individuals who are not members of the Society are charged a fee of $5.50 and institutions are charged $22.00 to use the collections. Fees are also charged for copying of documents and images.

Members and the general public are invited to visit the Library at 49 Broadway, Nedlands. They are also invited to make an email enquiry by completing and submitting the Library Research Enquiry Form.